To ask what on earth do you do at the gym?!

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I'll start by saying that yes, I will be having an induction and a programme/thingy made. But there isn't a free slot for that for a couple of weeks.

I've been a member of the gym a few times before but mainly did cardio and swimming.

My goal is to lose around 4/5st and tone up. I want to be able to run (outside of the gym eventually) so still want to improve my cardiovascular health.

But in terms of the weight machines, or weights or other bits in the gym I'm clueless!!! How do you know which settings you should have it on? And by that I mean what weight setting you use on the machines, do you just go by how much you can lift/resist and start there?

What is your gym routine? Thanks!

At my recent induction the guy who led it was very helpful, asked what I wanted to use most etc and showed me how to set everything up. What I do now when I'm using one machine is people watch and see how people use the others then copy. I also follow a few people in insta who train and they tell you what equipment to use and how many reps etc on there.

@VanessaShanessaJenkins Could I ask who you follow please?

I lift up heavy things and put them back down again - several times a week (powerlifting). And I do high intensity interval exercise a couple of times a week. Lost 60 pounds doing this and dieting - and remember, weight loss is mostly about diet (you cannot out-train a bad diet). You can do it!

Sorry, just realised I didn't answer your actual question. Get a trainer a few times first, and get them to do up a programme for you. Then have a session with the trainer once a month to check in and learn new techniques.

With the weights I aim to do three sets of fifteen and set the weight so I am struggling by the end of each set. One day I do upper body, the next lower body.

Cardio to warm up (10-20 mins on treadmill) then weights. I was told that if you do 10 reps and 7-10 are a struggle then you've got the right weight! Then finish with cross trainer/bike and stretch. Does the trick for me

Free weights not machines. Watch youtube for some ideas.
I got some ideas from various classes too. Could you try a few classes until you are more comfortable?

Classes!!! I do a class and swim usually. I work harder in a class than i do solo

If your gym does body pump (or an equivalent), dont be put off thats the one you absolutely must try. That covers your weights and toning. Its fantastic for building strength and its really accessible for beginners whilst being endlessly challenging as you can keep increasing the weight.

If you're at a Bannatynes the little gym based classes are good classes to try
because they give you contact with an instructor and are fab.

I try to do two strengthening with weights classes a week (partly because i tend to low tone) so pump or kettlebells. One total body conditioning class so zumba strong, aerobics, lbt or anything with conditioning in the title. And one random other depending on what's available,like body attack when ive got fit, i dont find it great for building up.

Definitely do weights. Advantage of being heavier is that all things being equal, you’ll be able to outlift a lighter person, which is kind of empowering and encouraging from the get-go ( whereas cardio machines when you’re heavy are less so). YouTube has great videos for all the machines and free weights. I would start with machines as although slightly less effective as you don’t need to stabilise, they are easier to ‘get right’ as the range is fixed. Just pick a weight you can do 7-10 reps as pp suggested. Could also do stuff like dumbbell bench press and overhead press. Good luck.